He made her be the one to break away, to pull her mouth from his to breathe. He would never again be the one to end a kiss between them. Ever. He put his forehead against hers.
“And you’re really not angry at me now, Helen?”
Her panting turned into a little laugh and she leaned away from him. “How can I be angry,mo luran? When I am getting everything I ever wanted. The man I love and the man who will help me fulfill my duty. And, oh, yes, the sunrise and the stars in my bed every night for the rest of my life.”
“Every night?”
“Every night.”
“God, I love you, Helen.”
He crushed her to him as tightly as he could and buried his face in her neck. Her arms were around him, her strong hands gripping his back. He was home. She was his home. His prickly home.
“I will never deceive you again, Helen.”
“Good. I believe ye.”
He raised his head and looked in her eyes. “You believe I won’t lie to you again?”
“Aye.”
“Then you have to believe this, Helen Boyd. You’re beautiful.” He cupped her muddy face in his hands. “You’re beautiful. You’re beautiful. You’ve always been beautiful.”
She gazed at him. “I believe ye, Jack Pike.”
“Good.”
Her eyes widened. “But do I have to call ye John now?”
“You better call me Jack Pike. Always Jack Pike when we’re in our bed.” He seized her around her waist and lifted her off his lap and got to his feet, drawing her up with him.
“But we’re nae in a bed now, are we?”
“Close enough. From now on, any place in Dunmore or Kinmarloch will qualify as our bed.” He ran his hands over her back, her bottom, her hips, her abdomen, and ended at her breasts, the nipples pointed and hard under his palms. He wanted those nipples in his mouth now.
“I think I should get you out of these wet clothes.”
“And I think I should do the same for ye.”
Her hands went to his fall even as he was reaching around her back for the buttons of her dress.
“I want to consummate our marriage right now, Helen.”
“Ye know I want the same,mo luran.”
Oh, yes. There was that. One last thing. Now that he had her promise, he would ask. He clasped her wrists together with one of his hands and brought them to his chest.
“You must tell me.”
“Tell ye what?”
“What doesmo luranmean?”
She bit her lip. She looked away. “My pretty boy.”
“Not man? Not pretty man? Or handsome man?”
She shook her head.
